Introduction

A Princess and Her Garden is a fable that reflects the stories of many women-and some men-who learn to put other people's needs before their own, until one day they come to realize they feel lost or unhappy because they have forgotten, or perhaps never learned, how to care for themselves.

The telling of this story is more about the awakening and arrival of you, the reader, than it is about the journey of the Princess. The authors have wisely used their years of counseling and coaching experience to create a guided journal (The Queen of Yourself) that prompts you to reflect and answer thought provoking questions about your childhood, and what you learned about taking care of yourself and others. This unique journaling experience helps you cultivate a new life story in which you love both yourself and those closest to you. Beautiful color illustrations enhance this new edition-a beautiful allegory for reflecting on any stage in life. The included book club discussion questions are designed for meaningful conversation around changing lives.

The perfect gift for people in transition, from new parents to the just-divorced, A Princess and Her Garden is also a welcome story for fresh graduates and newlyweds, and anyone (including yourself) who is learning how to take care of themselves and plant nourishing seeds.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Upon her birth the tiny princess was given a garden—a birthright — carefully prepared, fertilized and seeded with everything she would ever need in all the years to come. This perfect garden awaited only tender, gentle care and protection until the day when she would be able to care for it herself.

At first, the small and helpless Princess had to depend on the King and Queen to care for her garden. All she could do was to let them know that something needed to be done.

Gradually, as the princess grew, she became aware of the beauty of her special piece of land and realized that the King and the Queen appeared in her garden whenever she summoned them. She began to believe that both the land and the people belonged to her. In this way she lived there happily for quite some time.

I am a Princess

and this is my land.

These people belong to me.

I must be the Princess of Other People. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

Here are a few thought-provoking questions designed to stimulate group conversation in your book club. Consider the following as you read this book:
1. The Princess felt she was doing the right thing by putting other people's needs before her own. When you take care of your own needs do you feel guilty or selfish?
2. The Princess was still a young woman when she was forced to care for her own garden. If this had happened later in her life would it have been too late? Is it ever too late to begin to care for oneself?
3. Why do you think the King and the Queen taught the Princess to care for them? What does this story have to teach us about raising children?
4. The Wizard gave the Princess tools, helped her build a fence around her garden, and gave her the only key to the gate. Why, then, did the Princess feel abandoned when the Wizard left? What does it mean to be abandoned? This is a story about a Princess. How might it have been different (or would it) if it were the story of a Prince?
5. The story ends with "it is possible that she lived happily ever after." What would the Princess have to do to ensure her own happiness? Do you think she married a King? If so, what kind of a relationship might they have had?

Weblinks

»	Official web site for A Princess and Her Garden
»	Additional materials and workbooks related to the book

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

Member Reviews

There are no user reviews at this time.
Rate this book